• cover of V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria
    competition - What I'm reading

    Giveaway: V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria

    July 5, 2019 - By 

    I’m a huge fan of introducing my children to history. We’re keen members of the National Trust and I can’t resist a trip to a museum! We were recently #gifted a copy of V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria. This vibrant mini-hardback celebrates the reign of one of Britain’s most iconic rulers. V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria It’s filled with beautiful illustrations, early photographs and details from throughout Queen Victoria’s reign. Queen Victoria guided Great Britain through a period of immense change and invention. This book explores the lasting legacy she and her devoted husband, Prince Albert, had on the world. Queen Victoria is…

  • cover of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara
    competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay

    July 2, 2019 - By 

    We’re counting down through these last few weeks of term. I can’t wait to finish my school job and spend 6 weeks with my children. We have a family holiday booked at Duinrell in The Netherlands as well as some weeks at home to relax. The kids can’t wait to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at our local library, I really wish there was something similar for us adults! Last week I told you about Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara. It’s a classic rags to riches tale, all about Amelia, who discovers she is…

  • cover of Boy oh Boy book
    Family Life - What I'm reading

    Boy oh Boy: 30 coming-of-age stories {book review}

    June 29, 2019 - By 

    I love being sent books to review. We’ve been really fortunate recently and I have a lovely pile of books to tell you about over the coming weeks. Today I wanted to tell you about Boy oh Boy: from boys to men, be inspired by 30 coming-of-age stories of sportsmen, artists, politicians, educators and scientists, written by Dr. Cliff Leek, illustrated by Bene Rohlmann. I bought my daughter a book of stories about inspirational women for Christmas but couldn’t find anything similar for my son, so I was delighted to be gifted a copy for review. Boy oh Boy: 30…

  • cover of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara
    Family Life - What I'm reading

    Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara

    June 26, 2019 - By 

    A few weeks ago I was sent an early copy of the latest book from Ali McNamara. You may remember that I’ve reviewed some of her previous books including The Summer of Serendipity and Daisy’s Vintage Cornish Camper Van. Tomorrow Sphere will be publishing Ali’s latest book, Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay! They are also celebrating 10 years of publishing Ali’s fantastic books. About Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie – but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that…

  • The Warehouse book cover
    What I'm reading

    The Warehouse by Rob Hart

    May 29, 2019 - By 

    I was looking for something to read recently when I came across The Warehouse by Rob Hart. The blurb grabbed my attention so I had to read it, even though it wasn’t the type of book I would normally go for. I’m so pleased I tried something new! The Warehouse is a dystopian novel set in America. The Warehouse by Rob Hart Gun violence, climate change and unemployment have ravaged the United States beyond recognition. Amidst the wreckage, an online retail giant named Cloud reigns supreme. Cloud brands itself not just as an online storefront, but as a global saviour.…

  • Win a signed copy of The Missing Sister by Dinah Jefferies
    competition - What I'm reading

    Win a signed copy of The Missing Sister by Dinah Jefferies

    May 14, 2019 - By 

    I love it when I find an author I enjoy and discover they’ve written lots of books! One such author is Dinah Jefferies who write historical novels set in exotic parts of the old British Empire, such as The Sapphire Widow or The Tea Planter’s Wife. I recently finished reading her latest book, The Missing Sister, set in 1930s Burma. The Missing Sister by Dinah Jefferies A stolen sister. A daughter determined to uncover the truth. Belle Hatton has embarked upon an exciting new life far from home: a glamorous job as a nightclub singer in 1930s Burma, with a…

  • The Paper Florist by Suzi McLaughlin {book review}
    What I'm reading

    The Paper Florist by Suzi McLaughlin {book review}

    May 5, 2019 - By 

    A Bank Holiday weekend is a great time to catch up on some reading. A few weeks ago we were gifted some lovely craft books, such as Make and Mend, which we’ve already featured here. The other book we received was The Paper FloristL create and display stunning paper flowers by Suzi McLaughlin. The Paper Florist by Suzi McLaughlin Paper flowers are not only beautiful, but incredibly versatile. From simple home decorations and gorgeous gifts to unique centrepieces and one-off bouquets, all made from basic materials, Suzi McLaughlin’s step-by-step tutorials cover an array of flowers such as bluebells, peonies, poppies,…

  • Make and Mend by Jessica Marquez
    Crafts for adults - What I'm reading

    Make and Mend by Jessica Marquez

    April 18, 2019 - By 

    Last year I tried and fell in love with Sashiko stitching. This is a  type of decorative Japanese embroidery which I had loads of fun trying. So I was excited to be #gifted a copy of Make and Mend: The Japanese Art of Sashiko Embroidery by Jessica Marquez. It is packed full of Sashiko-inspired embroidery projects to customise and repair textiles and decorate your home. Make and Mend by Jessica Marquez Make and Mend is an exquisite, full-colour guide to sashiko, a simple Japanese stitching technique that uses stunning patterns to decorate or repair clothing, accessories and home textiles –…

  • experimenting with the art of collage
    What I'm reading

    Experimenting with collage

    April 13, 2019 - By 

    I’ve been pushing myself to try new crafts so was delighted to be #gifted a book all about collage. It was packed full of different ideas which totally challenged the  way I thought about the art of collage. I couldn’t wait to try it for myself so printed out some vintage family photos. I found a website which removes the background of an image but you could also cut the image by hand. Then I placed my vintage photo over planes of flat coloured card to give it a totally different look. Reducing the background noise of an image really…